Itineraries & Trails

Tourist drives

Wauchope and Lake Cathie – Scenic Drive

At the western exit of the Pacific and Oxley Highways, follow the signs to Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park for an up close experience with Australia’s most loved and unusual animals.

Continue on to King Creek Road, turn left and follow the signs to Cowarra Dam where the picnic area and cultural display is open to the public from 9am to 5pm daily. The major artworks acknowledge and respect the Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Return to the Oxley Highway and continue on to the bustling rural township of Wauchope. Take some time to explore the town and discover its many ‘country treats’. At its heart is Bain Park which is dominated by an engaging mural reflecting the town’s timber heritage. The Wauchope Farmers Markets are held at the Showgrounds from 8am to 12 noon on the fourth Saturday of each month and is well worth a visit for lovers of fresh local produce.

A highlight of the tour is a visit to Timbertown, the ultimate in pioneer history. Explore this working 19th century timber village where you can enjoy a ride on a steam train or a Cobb & Co Coach, watch a working bullock team and witness a variety of age-old steam engines still working today.

From Timbertown head back into Wauchope and at the main roundabout turn right onto Cameron Street. This road becomes Bago Road and takes you on a journey through State Forests to Milligans Road and Bago Vineyard. The cellar door provides the opportunity for sampling and its open from 9.00am to 5.00pm seven days a week. They also have a fantastic 2km hedge maze which is the biggest in the southern hemisphere.

On the second Sunday of each month the vineyard is home to some of the region’s best jazz. Return to Port Macquarie via the scenic coastal community of Lake Cathie. Turn right onto Bago Road and join the Pacific Highway north to the marked exit for Lake Cathie and Houston Mitchell Drive. Visit Long Point Winery and Vineyard which features a range of table wines, mead, and an orange liqueur that has a real kick! Back onto Houston Mitchell Drive it is a pleasant drive back to Port Macquarie via Ocean Drive.

Alternatively you can simply turn left on leaving Bago Vineyard and retrace your journey to rejoin via the Oxley Highway. This drive is about 120km with 1.5 hours of driving time.